Runaway wagon ‘chased crowded Tube train on Northern line’

A runaway train came within 600m of smashing into a crowded Tube, a court has heard.

A court heard a runaway train came within 600m of smashing into a crowded Tube (Picture: PA)

The maintenance wagon hurtled down the Northern line after it broke free of an empty passenger train while being towed, magistrates were told.

Prosecutors said two staff for a German contractor dived on to a platform as the train raced through Highgate station, north London.

The runaway unit and the passenger train were said to have came within 600m of each other and appeared as a single red line on control room screens.

The Tube driver was ordered to accelerate away from the danger without stopping and told passengers to head towards the front carriages in case of a collision.

Jonathan Ashley-Norman, for the Office of Rail Regulation, said: ‘For a period, the passenger train was in fact being pursued by the now-uncontrolled grinding unit.’

When the line split, the trains were directed to different branches and the runaway wagon stopped on an incline near Warren Street station.

Mr Ashley-Norman added: ‘Happily, there was no injury and no damage, beyond to some points.’

London Underground and maintenance provider Tube Lines admitted health and safety breaches, which carry an unlimited fine, at City of London magistrates’ court following the incident on August 13, 2010.

They will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on a date to be decided.

Contractor Schweerbau GmbH faces two similar charges but will enter a plea at the Old Bailey on January 10.